Black Metallers BLODARV have inked a deal with the Dutch record label SOULSELLER RECORDS for the release and world-wide distribution of the band’s upcoming full-length album “The Illuminating Darkness” which will be available in CD, Digital and 12″ Vinyl formats in 2019.

Aside from having recently signed bands such as USURPER, DEATHCULT, PATRIA and GRAVDAL to their roster, SOULSELLER RECORDS have also been instrumental in the official re-issues of various Black Metal classics from bands such as GORGOROTH, OPHTHALAMIA, VED BUENS ENDE, OLD FUNERAL, DEN SAAKALDTE, THORNIUM and ANCIENT, to name but a few.

Commenting on the decision to sign with SOULSELLER RECORDS, BLODARV had this to say:

We have to say that we are really looking forward to working with Soulseller – a cooperation that will greatly benefit both the band and the fans. Soulseller have proven themselves to be a label of some note with a great many quality releases over the years, and we are more than satisfied to be working with them on the upcoming album.

One of the things that was very important to us was that this album should also be released on Vinyl. Not only because many of our fans prefer vinyl over other formats, but also because as soon as we had written the first track, we all felt that vinyl was where it belonged, and, as a consequence, the whole album was created with that particular medium in mind.

Another aspect to signing with Soulseller was the availability issue. Up until now, once we had sold out of our releases at the official BLODARV store in Denmark it has been extremely difficult, not to mention very expensive, for our European fans and followers to get their hands on them. Ordering from Mexico, where our previous label and their distro were situated, meant that fans in Europe were hit with taxes, customs charges and prohibitive postal costs, whilst we ourselves could only stock a very small number, as all our releases had been limited to 1,000 copies. With Soulseller this will all change.

There are, of course, a few more reasons why we are looking forward to this co operation, not least of which are trust, shared visions and goals, dedication, artistic freedom, and the excellent communication we have with Soulseller.

More info about “The Illuminating Darkness” will be available soon, but in the meantime BLODARV recently gave fans an insight into what they could expect from the album by premiering the track “A dark trail of Death” which is available to stream or download at the following:

Until now, Danish Black Metallers BLODARV have been quite secretive when it comes to revealing details about their forthcoming full length album. In fact, the only thing that the band has so far revealed is that the title of the album would be “The Illuminating Darkness”.

The silence, however, is now about to be broken, as the band is premiering a track from “The Illuminating Darkness” in order to give fans a first taste of the dark and haunting journey that the album has in store for them.

The track, “A Dark Trail of Death”, can be streamed or downloaded with lyrics via the following:

“we are aware that it is usual for band premiering a track from a forthcoming album, to choose either the title track, or a track that “musically represents the entire album”. But BLODARV have never been your typical band, nor have we been known to do things the usual way, and this time it’s no different. In fact, “A Dark Trail of Death” stands out from the rest of “The Illuminating Darkness” in the sense that it’s the slowest song on the entire album.

“Whilst the rest of the tracks on “The Illuminating Darkness” are much more up-tempo, even compared to previous releases, we chose “A Dark Trail of Death” as a first taste of the upcoming album anyway because, even though it stands out tempo wise, it is still perfect to represent the entire album because it is soaked through with the essence and atmosphere of “The Illuminating Darkness”.

“A Dark Trail of Death” was recorded over two different periods. Drums and first guitar were recorded in 2016 at Anwill-Recordings, whereas vocals and the rest of the instruments were recorded in 2018 at theHammerArt & Studio’s on the island of Bornholm. Photo-art for ” A dark trail of death” is by Blodarv and HammerArt & Studio’s.

Having remained silent on the subject for a year now, Danish Black Metallers BLODARV are ready to announce their new drummer with the arrival of Galheim (DENIAL OF GOD, AD NOCTUM, EXMORTEM, LIVJATAN) on a full time basis.

Commenting on the new addition to the band, founder and frontman Hugin had this to say:

“Not only do we consider Galheim to be the best Danish drummer that ever walked this earth, but also, and even more importantly, we consider him to be the only real match for BLODARV, not just from a musical perspective, but also when it comes to the ideology, visions, and essence of the band. So much so, in fact, that we actually neither looked anywhere else, nor accepted any applications from anyone to take over the drummer’s vacancy. Everyone in the band was in agreement that we didn’t just want a great drummer, we wanted one who was hewn from the same rock as BLODARV, and Galheim was that person.

“He has his roots firmly planted in the Danish Black Metal scene of the 90’s and is someone we can connect and sync with, both musically and on a personal level, because he shares and understands the passion and dedication that goes into a life’s work such as BLODARV. Not only do we want to keep the flame burning, we want to add fuel to the fire, elevate the band, and sharpen the knife that is BLODARV“.

Conceived in 1994, and originally formed as a solo project on the Danish island of Bornholm, Hugin decided to develop and expand on the experience he had gained whilst playing in bands such as MISANTHROPIA, SANSÂGER and ARANRÚTH, and in 1999 he launched the first BLODARV demo.

Having turned BLODARV into a fully fledged band in 2002, Hugin has, since then, proved that in order to give a voice to his poetic and lyrical creations, he is totally unafraid to mix classical, industrial and ambient elements to form BLODARV’s distinctive take on Black Metal

With three full length albums, some very tasty limited edition boxed sets, and several EPs and Splits under their belts, Hugin confirms that, energized by the arrival of Galheim, the band is now dedicating as much time as possible to rehearsing a formidable new stage show and ensuring that BLODARV’s raven banner will soon once again flutter proudly on stage. “We will return stronger, darker, and more powerful than ever before”

On the Danish island Bornholm, BLODARV‘s front man Hugin has been brewing on new tracks and lyrics ever since the band finished the recordings of the Flamekeeper vinyl that was relased by Self Mutilation Services last year.

Now the first rough cue recordings of what will become the next BLODARV full length has been done, and everyone in the band is right now working intensely and with great eager on the upcoming album that once more will send the fans and followers into a journey down new paths in the illuminating darkness of BLODARV‘s demonical universe.

Next month the band will begin the studio recordings which will continue on until winter where the final recordings will be done. Further details about the upcoming album will be revealed later this year.

From the illuminating darkness, the demons speaks again! The long awaited BLODARV“Flamekeeper” vinyl will be released on Halloween night this Saturday October 31. 2015 on Self Mutilation Services.

The observant already got a small taste of what is brewing in the state of Denmark in the BLODARV video “Moon Gazer” that can be found on the bands official youtube channel, here (or below). And as fans and followers knows, nothing is done half-hearted in BLODARV and this new release is no different. It will in all ways be a very unique release, and the diehard edition especially, coming with some very special extras included that you surely haven’t received with any album before. Beside from being the first album release with newest BLODARV member Fjorgynn on drums, the “Flamekeeper” 7” EP will also be the first vinyl release from the band in 10 years!

The Ep will as stated above, be released in a regular version limited to 500 copies & a diehard “Cermonial box” limited to only 50 units on Self Mutilation Services. “Flamekeeper” itself, is a release that is very personal to Hugin, who wants it to be a very special hail to the fans, some of whom have been following for more than twenty years, since the release of the “Misanthropia/Misanthropia demo” back in 1994 which marked the first step planted on a journey that with time would become BLODARV as we know it today. To this end, the frontman has gone to great lengths to hand craft some of the contents in the box edition himself, and has ensured that the label sourced a high quality wooden box that will be a collector’s item for years to come.

“Ten times of candles five, ancient flame stay tonight, with fire, air, blood and stones, a piece of your strength I put in these bones!”

Concerning the “Flamekeeper” EP Hugin says “We have a strong connection to our fans and followers, that’s why I crafted the fifty amulets out of the goat bones, and why I choose to put one in each of the limited box sets together with one of the candles used in the ceremony for the most diehard fans..

The new tracks on “Flamekeeper” salutes the power of the ancient flame, the fire that feeds us and the fire that eats us.. Its about putting demons into art, protecting the old, and once again send the listener into the dark demon filled universe of BLODARV. It´s about creating great Black Metal and also give the fans something unique and personal together with the album beside the music, like it was done in the early years of the Black Metal Underground. Its a hail to lust and blasphemy, to powerful energies, to the moon and the beast of the night, to the powers we got inside, to the nights where the flame burns bright, where souls and demons and worlds unite, it’s a hail to the power with a thousand names, a hail to the power of the ancient flame..for thousands of nights in its illuminating darkness “

– EP box – A carved wooden box for storing all the objects included
-Flamekeeper 7″EP – In black vinyl
-EP cover – same as regular version of ”Flamekeeper” limited to 500 units
-Back Patch- 23 cm embroidered
-Sticker – 9 x 9 cm
-2 Lyric/photo sheets – one photo sheet and one lyric sheet
-Necklace/amulet- Crafted from goat bones From the island of Bornholm
(The bones that also features on EP cover). Necklaces are numbered by hand on back of necklace
-Black candle- from the ceremony during which the necklaces/amulets was crafted
– Black jewelry bag- for necklace/amulet
-Guitar pick – 0,73mm with” Flamekeeper“print and BLODARV Logo (two-side print)

With the release of their Limited Edition 7″ vinyl “Flamekeeper” creeping closer, Danish Black Metallers BLODARV have today debuted a video for the track “Moon Gazer” which features on the EP. The video for “Moongazer” was filmed on Bornholm, the island home of BLODARV frontman and founder Hugin, and was produced at his own HammerArt and Studios, and can be seen on the band’s YouTube channel below:

“Flamekeeper” itself, which will be available in two different versions on Self Mutilation Services, one of which will be a special Ceremonial Box, is a release that is very personal to Hugin, who wants it to be a very special thank you to fans, some of whom have been following the band for twenty years, since the release of the “Misanthropia/Misanthropia” back in 1994. To this end, the frontman has gone to great lengths to hand craft a lot of the contents himself, and has ensured that the label sourced a high quality wooden box that will be a collector’s item for years to come.

Included in the diehard “Flamekeeper Ceremonial Box” set are the following:

A carved wooden box for storing the EP and all the objects that are included.
The “Flamekeeper” 7″EP in black vinyl with cover
23cm embroidered Back Patch
9 x 9 cm sticker
Photo sheet
Lyric sheet
Necklace crafted by Hugin out of goat bones from the island of Bornholm and hand numbered on the back
A Black candle from the ceremony that was held during the crafting of the necklaces
Black jewellery bag for the necklace
Two-sided print guitar pick with “Flamekeeper” on one side and the BLODARV Logo on the reverse

A teaser video of Hugin carving the necklaces can be seen here:

Hugin also recently announced that he would not be monetizing the band’s YouTube channel as he did not want to subject fans to irrelevant ads that had nothing to do with either the music, or the fans’ interests, and that did a huge disservice to both.